The Head of Oncology Unit at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Evelyn Osei-Amoah, has expressed worry over the increasing number of breast cancer cases recorded in the Northern Region.
According to her, the Unit records at least one case of active breast cancer every day, a situation she said is alarming.
“In 2020, we recorded 60 cases, 2021 we recorded 65 and this year so far we have gone past the number as there is no a single day that we don’t record a newly diagnosed breast cancer case.
“Our major challenge is that we are able to identify the cases. However, most of these patients are not able to afford the diagnostic procedures so we end up losing them.”
She revealed the Unit has over the years leveraged on the benevolence of individuals and organizations to support most of the patients.
“The likes of Jacksally and other organizations have supported us over the years and that has been of help to us.”
She is worried that not all the diagnostic processes are covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“When we find a lump in a woman’s breast, we need to establish the fact that that is breast cancer and that diagnostic process that the patient goes through is not covered by insurance and it’s worrying.”
Funding
Lack of funding for breast cancer treatment has been identified as one of the reasons for the rise in breast cancer cases in the Northern Region.
As part of efforts to support the unit raise funds for patients to undergo diagnostic procedures, Jacksally, a non-profit organization under the Jaksally Breast Cancer Campaign, has launched a MoMo account to solicit for funds.
Presenting the MoMo, Executive Director Seidu Jeremiah admonished Ghanaians to take interest in supporting the region to deal with the increasing numbers of breast cancer cases.
“The Oncology Unit is worried about the situation and it all boils down to the fact that the poverty levels are high here and so patients are unable to afford for the treatment procedures and labs.
“This is why we are launching this MoMo number today to support the Unit raise funds. I urge Ghanaians and other international organizations to donate to the fund.”
By Christopher Amoako|3news.com|Ghana